2013 Women in Politics Support Unit WIPSU UPDATE 2012 in retrospect Greetings from WiPSU hoping you had a fantastic 2012 , wishing you an even better year ahead,. WiPSU encourages you to pursue your dreams and goals and make this a defining year for you. Here is a look at 2012 WiPSU’s Political education WiPSU held a public meeting on women’s political education which saw women from different sectors of the society coming together to learn more and develop an understanding of politics. Running under our campaign, 50/50 representation, the meeting sought to conscientise women about the importance of women’s participation in politics so as to increase their number in decision making processes. Women in Zimbabwe constitute more than 52 percent of the population but are disproportionally represented in decision making positions and in national politics. This is usually because of the patriarchal society where men are viewed as the leaders and women are the subjects. Howev- er, women’s participation in politics is important to ensure that decision making takes into account women’s perspectives and concerns so that legislation, policies and other facets of the national agenda become gender responsive. Participation of women in politics advances women’s rights and ensures incorporation of women’s interests, concerns and priorities in governance and national development processes at all levels. The meeting was well attended by women from different sectors of the society including MPs, politicians, teachers, artists, business women, traders, vendors, nurses and students among others. As the women were educated about politics they were also taught on how to participate in politics including registering to vote, becoming a member of a political party, contesting for leadership positions and contributing to electoral processes as polling agents or observers. Speaking at the meeting, Zanu PF deputy secretary for women’s affairs , Cde Eunice Sandi- Moyo applauded women for taking up the challenge as they are now leaders in different sectors but encouraged them to continue working for equal representation. “As women we are not yet there, the question we have to ask ourselves is how are we voting, how much noise are we making so that women are voted into power, let’s not sit back but continue to fight for equal representation of women,” she said. MDC Deputy Chairperson of the women’s assembly, Ms. Elizabeth Chinyanga, encouraged to continue fighting for their cause saying women have as much capacity as men have. Giving the analogue of Adam and Eve, she said, when God created men, he was not enough unless Eve came into his life. She said no decision should be made unless women are there. In a speech read on the behalf of MDC T chairperson of the women’s assembly, Hon. Theresa Makone, by Ms. Sally Dura, she mentioned that Zimbabwe’s politics is male dominated because women are misinformed and not empowered. “We lack resources because we are not there when decisions are made. However we need to be part of political processes happening,” she said. She also highlighted factors inhibiting women to venture into politics which include political violence, lack of time as women are the labourers who are busy looking for water, firewood and taking care of the family and therefore have no time for politics as well as the media which continu- ally projects women in a negative way. “We need to find time to create a working relationship as women so that we support each other, as well as to invest in knowledge sharing to em- power ourselves so that we do not feel inadequate,” she said. Ends/ . PAGE 2 WIPSU UPDATE Let’s empower women to end GBV I watched in horror as a man attacked his wife on my way to work. What shocked me was that a crowd had gathered made up of able bodied men and women who just stood there watching without intervening. The man continued bash- ing his wife with fists, kicking her in the stomach while shouting insults as onlookers watched helplessly. The wife who was groaning in pain could only scream as her calls for help fell on deaf ears. When I saw the images of this woman covered in blood and dirt, I asked myself if it was possible for a man to be so evil as to inflict such pain on another human being and society to be so heartless by letting such atrocities go unpunished. Women are abused daily everywhere, in homes, work places, schools or even churches. What is more appalling is that the perpetrators are usually loved ones, spouses or family members who are supposed to be their protectors. As a re- sult most cases of abuse usually go unreported. A report by UN shows that domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 , more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. Globally, at least one in three women and girls is beaten or raped in her lifetime. In Zimbabwe, domestic violence accounts for more than 60% of murder cases that go through the high court in Harare. Domestic violence means any unlawful act, omission or behavior which results in death or the direct infliction of physical, sexual or mental injury to any complainant by a respondent. It includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emo- tional, verbal and psychological abuse, economic abuse, intimidation, harassment, stalking, malicious damage to property and forcible entry into the complainant's residence where the parties do not share the same residence among other things. The passing of the Domestic Violence Act in Zimbabwe in 2006 gave hope to vulnerable women and men in Zimba- bwe; however cases of domestic violence throughout the country remain high despite several interventions to stop perpetrators from committing the offence, as seen in various media reports. However, a lot of women fear reporting their partners because they are economically and emotionally depended on the abuser. As a result they have low self- esteem, they end up doubting themselves and their rights keeping them attached to the abuser. Many people in abusive relationships lack the knowledge of legal options available for them, some do not even know of the laws that protect them. There is need for sufficient education of women and girls about their rights and the need for the removal of processes and procedures that make it difficult for women and girls to get justice. WIPSU believes that women deserve to be valued and treated as any other human being, reinforcing their dignity. WIPSU calls for equal representation of men and women in all political processes through the 50-50 campaign as it serves to alleviate the plight of women thereby eradicating issues like gender based violence. The organization seeks to funda- mentally increase women’s participation and representation in politics through strengthening the leadership capacities of women in politics so as to raise the awareness of the said candidates on women's issues and on how to analyse them from a gender perspective and advocate for the same issues in parliament. Both men and women have a respon- sibility of making the domestic violence act accessible especially to grassroot women and ensure that it is implement- ed on the ground. ...to page 3 PAGE 3 There is need for economic, social and political empowerment of women so as to end gender based violence. Last year’s 16 Days Campaign provided an opportunity to reflect on what can be done to hold our governments to ac- count and challenge the structures that allow gender-based violence to continue. Gender-based violence is an issue that impacts all of us at multiple levels. Within this context our governments have a responsibility to prevent gender based violence and protect women. Let’s engage young women Senior women leaders have been encouraged to mentor young women and show them the ropes so that they too may learn about politics and be the next leaders who will take over when this group of older women can no longer run the race. Speaking at a meeting held by WiPSU with WomanKind as well as women MPs and councilors from different political parties, Honourable Anastansia Ndlovu, who is the youngest Woman Member of Parliament, said there was need for older leaders to train the young ones so that they learn about politics. “The young women should shadow the mature women leaders as a way of capacity building, so that they develop a better understanding of politics because they can add to the country’s political and economical development if given the chance,” she said. As the youngest political leaders in her party, who has been in the game for 12 years and was also a leader in the youth league, she said she got to be an MP through the support and guidance from the older and more mature leaders in her party. Zimbabwean women in politics are still far from matching their male counterparts in decision making positions. There are less than 20 % percent women in the current Senate and Lower House. This is largely the case in many African countries where culturally women are viewed as inferior and are not accorded space to air out their views and partici- pate effectively in decision making processes. Young women are silent if not invisible in the political arena with only a few participating, however at an appalling rate. Research carried out shows that young women in the country continue to lag behind as far as national processes are concerned. According to Copac reports only 22, 5 percent out of the 66 percent population of the youth participated in outreach meetings countrywide.